We knew it was coming, but bright and early this morning Vodafone UK and RIM announced the upcoming release of the BlackBerry Storm2. Vodafone will be releasing the Storm 9520 which will include a number of improvements over the current 9500. The new Storm2 features a upgraded Surepress touch display, Wi-Fi, 3.2 megapixel camera with auto focus, and 2GB of on board memory. The new Storm2 also features the new OS 5.0 which offers some hot new features. You can find details about the new Storm2 on the BlackBerry website here or check out Vodafone UK’s website here.

Vodafone and RIM Introduce the BlackBerry Storm2 Smartphone

Vodafone and Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) today introduced the BlackBerry(R) Storm2(TM) smartphone for customers in seven European countries as well as South Africa.

The second generation of RIM’s innovative and award-winning touch-screen smartphone, the BlackBerry Storm2 significantly improves the BlackBerry(R) touch-screen platform with new technology and new features to let customers stay easily connected to the people, places and things that matter most.

In the busy holiday gift buying period, customers in the UK and Ireland will be able to get the new smartphone first through Vodafone, and it will be offered exclusively by Vodafone in Germany, Netherlands and Spain. It will also be made available in France, Italy and South Africa in time for Christmas.

The BlackBerry Storm2 with BlackBerry OS 5 evolves the BlackBerry touch-screen platform with hundreds of hardware and software enhancements.

Note to editors

The BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone (model 9520) from Vodafone features:

New SurePress Technology

The BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone introduces a new SurePress(TM) technology based on an electronic system that provides the user with tactile feedback when the touch-screen is pressed. The new system responds equally to gentle pressure applied anywhere on the surface of the screen and makes clicking the display practically effortless. Typing on the smartphone’s virtual keyboards is easier, more comfortable and more accurate. The new SurePress technology also allows the user to type a letter with one thumb even while their other thumb may still be touching or resting on another letter, enabling faster typing and multi-key actions such as Shift or Alt -key combinations.

Hardware Features

- Smooth design and premium finish with sloped edges, chrome accents, glass lens and stainless steel backplate

- Large (3.25″), dazzling, high resolution 360 x 480 display at 184 ppi

- Capacitive touch-screen with integrated functions (Send, End, Menu, Escape) and new SurePress technology that makes clicking the display practically effortless

- Global connectivity support: UMTS/HSPA (2100Mhz), quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM and Wi-Fi(R) (802.11 b/g) networks

- 3.2 MP camera with variable zoom, autofocus, flash and video recording

- 256 MB of Flash memory

- 2 GB of onboard memory storage and a microSD/SDHD memory card slot that supports up to 16 GB cards today and is expected to support 32 GB cards when available

- Premium and easy-to-access phone features, background noise suppression technology, loud distortion-free speakerphone and face detection (proximity sensor) that prevents accidental clicks and blanks the screen while the user is on the phone

- Media player for videos, pictures and music, plus BlackBerry(R) Desktop Manager for both PCs and Macs, and BlackBerry(R) Media Sync for easily syncing iTunes(R) and Windows Media(R) Player music with the smartphone(i)

- Vodafone’s music client pre-installed, giving access to an extensive catalogue of artists

- A 3.5 mm stereo headset jack and dedicated volume controls

- Bluetooth(R) (2.1) with support for Secure Simple Pairing, hands-free headsets, stereo headsets, car kits and other Bluetooth peripherals

- Built-in GPS for maps and other location-based applications, as well as photo geotagging

- Access to BlackBerry App World(TM), featuring a broad and growing catalog of mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones. Categories include games, entertainment, IM and social networking, news, weather, productivity and more. Applications developed for the original BlackBerry Storm are fully compatible with the BlackBerry Storm2

- BlackBerry(R) Internet Service and BlackBerry(R) Enterprise Server support

- Removable, rechargeable 1400 mAhr battery that provides approximately 6 hours of talk time on 3G networks and 280 hours of standby time

BlackBerry OS 5

- More responsive experience and includes usability and visual enhancements such as inertial scrolling, spin boxes that make it easier to set dates and times, gradient shading on buttons and more use of animation

- Typing accuracy and selection have been significantly refined

- BlackBerry(R) Browser improved with faster JavaScript and CSS processing as well as support for Gears and BlackBerry Widgets

- Customers running BlackBerry(R) Enterprise Server 5 will gain the ability to:

– Set follow-up Flags on the handset like they can in Microsoft(R) Office Outlook(R)

– Manage Microsoft Exchange email folders (Add, Rename, Move, Delete) on the handset

– Access remote files shares (Windows Shares); Save, View, Edit, and Email documents from remote file shares

– Forward appointments and view calendar attachments on the handset

– Benefit from wireless sync improvements for Contacts, including sync for multiple contact folders, personal Distribution Lists and contacts in Public/Shared folders

(i) Certain music files may not be supported, including files that contain digital rights management technologies.

Pricing

Pricing will be announced by the individual in-country operating companies. As an indication, Vodafone UK will be offering the BlackBerry Storm2 free from GBP 35 per month on a 24-month contract that includes 600 minutes talk-time, unlimited BlackBerry Internet Service, unlimited text messaging, as well as unlimited access to VMI (Vodafone Mobile Internet) and broadband.

For more information please visit www.blackberry.com/storm.

About Vodafone

Vodafone is the world’s leading international mobile communications group with approximately 315 million proportionate customers as at 30 June 2009. Vodafone currently has equity interests in 31 countries across five continents and around 40 partner networks worldwide. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com.

About Research In Motion

Research In Motion (RIM) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM’s portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry(R) wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld(TM) product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (NASDAQ:RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used herein, words such as “intend” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made by and information available to Research In Motion Limited. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, possible product defects and product liability, risks related to international sales and potential foreign currency exchange fluctuations, the initiation or outcome of litigation, acts or potential acts of terrorism, international conflicts, significant fluctuations of quarterly operating results, changes in Canadian and foreign laws and regulations, continued acceptance of RIM’s products, increased levels of competition, technological changes and the successful development of new products, dependence on third-party networks to provide services, dependence on intellectual property rights, and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in RIM’s periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory authorities. RIM has no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. RIM assumes no obligations or liability and makes no representation, warranty, endorsement or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third party products or services.

Ronen from BerryReview has just posted some updates to the Storm 2 launch for both Verizon and Vodafone. Apparently Vodafone UK will be launching the Storm 2 (9520) on October 15th (just a few days away!), followed by Verizon launching the Storm 2 (9520) on October 25th or so. Now Ronen also goes on to say that he received a tip that RIM will not be launching the 9520, the 3G version of the Storm 2 in the USA. With any luck we might see the 9520 hit Canadian shores for a HSPA launch on Bell and TELUS? Although its kind of doubtful.

So I guess we will have to sit back and wait to see if these dates are true.

All of you out there who are waiting to get your hands on the upcoming BlackBerry Storm 2, this news is for you. Reports are coming in that multiple accessory sku’s have been found in Vodafone UK’s inventory system. Looks like so far Vodafone has charging docks, and a three pack of skins to show off in their inventory system. Hopefully the actual device will show up in there next. No word on an official announcement or release date yet, but its rumored to be launching sometime around October. Stay tuned!

So will you give the Storm 2 a try?

[via CrackBerry]

Guess what’s spotted in Vodafone Germany’s inventory? The heavily rumored, don’t post a picture of RIM will kill you… BlackBerry Storm 2. This hopefully means that the Storm 2 is starting to enter inventory databases around the World. The Storm 2 will for sure be the next generation in the Storm family sporting RIM’s upgraded Surepress touch screen and Wi-Fi. No one seems to have any word on pricing or exact launch details yet, but its expected to land on many networks across the World this October-November.

[via Engadget]

“With nearly two thirds of UK mobile customers now using pay as you go , we are really pleased to be bringing one of the most popular email and multimedia devices to the masses as the first operator to offer BlackBerry on pay as you go in the UK . At Orange, we’ve always been known for innovation and great value, and with the launch of this service, we continue to lead the market – giving UK pay as you go customers the choice they deserve.” – (Press Release)

Anyways you can head over to Orange.co.uk and get more details…

Good news for those in the UK! RIM has taken its first step in providing BlackBerry smartphones to prepaid service. Orange now has the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 in Titanium and Indigo listed as Coming Soon under the Pay As You Go section of their site. Previously RIM had talked about bringing BlackBerry to lower income families across the World and this seems to be a step in the right direction. You can see the Prepaid BlackBerry listed on Orange’s website here.

[via BerryReview]

[Telegraph.co.uk via IntoMobile]

Good news for Vodafone BlackBerry Storm owners! Vodafone has officially released their first OS upgrade for the Storm. The new version OS 4.7.0.78 is a huge improvement over the version that shipped with the device. To download the update simply head over to Vodafone’s site and install the software. Next up should be Verizon’s OS update possibly later on today?

[via CrackBerry]

How it works:

How to setup your BIS (BlackBerry Internet Service) email:

Using the Web Browser:

Today is a great day for though in the UK! Vodafone has officially started delivering their BlackBerry Storm 9500 smartphones. Vodafone had sent out messages the other day confirming that customers would be receiving them, but today is delivery day! Head on over to Vodafone.co.uk/Storm if you haven’t already ordered yours.

Stay tuned as I’m sure the internet will get filled with tons of unboxing photos today…